A Promising Start for the Hale County Hospital High School Scholars Program!
The first half of the Hale County Hospital High School Scholars Program has been an exciting and impactful experience for all involved. This program brought together a group of 18 dedicated Greensboro High School freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to explore the diverse world of healthcare. Over the past few months, we delved into the structure of healthcare careers, examining the unique paths of nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and medical doctors.
One of the program’s central goals has been to introduce students to foundational concepts of medical care. Our scholars learned how to conduct patient interviews, focusing on gathering past medical histories with sensitivity and compassion. They practiced taking vitals, understanding the importance of monitoring key indicators like heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. Additionally, they were introduced to the fundamentals of physical examinations, developing skills that are essential to patient care. These hands-on experiences provided a practical and engaging entry point into the clinical world.
A highlight of the semester was hearing from Hale County’s dedicated and passionate healthcare professionals. Nursing directors and physicians generously volunteered their time to meet with our students, offering invaluable mentorship. These sessions allowed students to ask questions, gain insight into various healthcare roles, and receive advice from professionals who bring years of experience and a deep commitment to serving their patients. It was inspiring to witness these connections being formed, as students began to envision themselves as future leaders in healthcare.
Juliana Surprenant, Hale County Hospital Fellow and Director of the Scholars Program, expressed her pride in the students’ engagement and growth this semester. “I’m incredibly proud of our students for their dedication, enthusiasm, and patience these past few months as we launched the program. I know they are going to do great things in healthcare and beyond, and I’m so grateful we’re able to offer this opportunity for them,” she shared. Juliana’s leadership and dedication have been instrumental in the program’s early success, setting the tone for a positive and enriching learning environment.
The Hale County Hospital High School Scholars Program represents an important step in broadening educational opportunities for students in Hale County. By partnering with K-12 schools, we hope to spark early interest in healthcare careers and provide young people with real-life, handson exposure to the medical field. For many students, this semester has been their first opportunity to explore healthcare beyond the classroom, and the hope is that it will serve as a foundation for future educational and career pursuits.
Hale County Hospital is a vital resource to the community, and we are excited to strengthen its impact through programs like this. The scholars’ enthusiasm and curiosity have shown us the importance of creating pathways for young people to explore their passions and develop skills that will serve them for years to come. As we look to the future, we hope this program is just the beginning of many more opportunities for Hale County’s youth to learn, grow, and find their place in healthcare.
